Rio Ferdinand gets driving ban

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was today banned from driving for six months and fined £2,500 (€3,620) for speeding.

Ferdinand, 24, who did not attend Leeds Magistrates Court, was also ordered to pay costs of £3,000 (€4,350).

The England star was convicted earlier this month of speeding on the M1 motorway near Temple Newsam, Leeds in his Cadillac Escalade.

He was clocked speeding at an average of 92mph on the southbound carriageway on March 1 last year.

District Judge Roy Anderson told Ferdinand’s solicitor, Barry Warburton, that he was imposing the maximum fine.

He said: “That is the maximum, but it is plainly derisory when compared with his earnings.”

Mr Warburton told the court that the England player had “exceedingly substantial” earnings but he declined to say how much.

He added: “He is not the archetypal, wild footballer, he is just the opposite and his feet are firmly on the ground.”

Mr Warburton told the judge he could not put forward an “extreme hardship” defence which would prevent a driving ban.

Detailing his charity work up and down the country, Mr Warburton added: “I can’t advance extreme hardship, but I can say he will be seriously inconvenienced.”

Ferdinand, of Linton Common, West Yorkshire, who already had nine points for previous speeding convictions, was also given six more points for the latest driving offence.

He was given 14 days to pay the fine and costs.

The footballer joined Manchester United from arch rivals Leeds United last summer.